Andrew Marsh (39) of Ross-on-Wye appeared before Hereford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 15th. Mr Marsh had been charged with several thefts from shops around Ross, and one assault.

On August 12th 2016, Mr Marsh was charged with two counts of theft: for the first charge, he was accused of stealing four cans of cider from Spar, to the value of £10.

In the second, he was arrested for stealing three pairs of socks from The Original Factory Shop. Mr Marsh pleaded guilty to both charges.

On September 8th, Mr Marsh was charged with stealing four bottles of Vodka from Morrisons in Ross-on-Wye, valuing £140. To this, he pleaded not guilty.

On the same day, Mr Marsh was accused of assaulting a member of staff, while he was being detained. To this charge, he entered a not guilty plea.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, told the court that when the case goes to trial, the Prosecution will call on two witnesses, in addition to the defendant; the complainant of the assault, and a witness to the alleged theft and assault. He added that CCTV may be in existence, although the footage needs to be examined further.

Chris Reid, mitigating, said that a conditional bail had been imposed on Mr Marsh, in the form of an electronic curfew, where the defendant is required to remain at his address between 8pm and 7am.

Mr Reid said that he could not see the relevance for the curfew, as Mr Marsh’s charges of shoplifting took place in the daytime when the shops were open. He added Mr Marsh had never failed to attend court. “I can’t see any justification for it at all,” Mr Reid told the court.

Mr Jones asked the Magistrates, Michael Williams and Sue Furnival, if the curfew was removed from Mr Marsh’s bail conditions, he proposed alternative conditions should be imposed. He suggested that the defendant is not allowed to enter Morrison’s in Ross-on-Wye, or contact either of the witnesses.

The Magistrates agreed to these changes in Mr Marsh’s bail conditions, and a date was set for a trial to commence at?Hereford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 14th 2016.